The Science of Tamil Language

The Inaugural Tamil Conference 2022 was held in Wellington on 12.11.2022. (Photo: Supplied)

This is an excerpt from a speech given by Dr Purushothaman Mahesh Babu at the Tamil Conference 2022. The conference was organised by the Aotearoa New Zealand Federation of Tamil Sangams Inc, on 12 November 2022 at Lower Hutt Events Centre in Wellington.

This article presents the highlights of Dr Mahesh’s speech, which explains the scientific harmony of Tamil alphabets, words, and sounds. It also emphasises the advantages of speaking the language.

The following are texts supplied by Dr Mahesh himself to explicate the nuances of the Tamil language.

Tamil: a scientific elixir.

Tamil Language (Photo: Britannica)

The Tamil language has written instructions on how to pronounce its sound. That is, it defines how an alphabet should be spoken. It specifies which bodily muscles should be coupled with sound-producing organs and airflow to articulate it. Tamil has given each syllable an abstract meaning, an intangible dimension that has formed the corpus of those syllables into words. While pronouncing the alphabet “in” (ன்), the muscles of the male genitalia are used and pronounced. That is why the alphabets “in” (ன்) represents the male genitalia. Similarly, the word “il” (ள்) represents female genitalia. By setting it up as such, each alphabet in Tamil is assigned an abstract meaning. For example, the use of the alphabets “in” (ன் ) and “il” (ள்) can be seen in the words to mean mother. “Annai” ( அன்னை) and “Thayal”, (தாயாள் (ர்)) are words that mean mother. But, in abstract meaning, the difference between them is clear. “Annai” by taking the alphabets “in” indicates that she has a son. Thayal (R) means the one who bears the life which can give another life (female/ daughter) in her body. A mother of a daughter. A local term case word with the same meaning as a mother is “Aatha”, which does not contain the alphabets “in” (ன் ) and “il” (ள்) meaning the one who holds life within the body regardless of whether it is male or female.

This is what Tolkappiyar points out in “sol adikaram” (word authority / சொல் அதிகாரம்)) that “all words are formed based on abstract meaning” (“எல்லா சொல்லும் பொருள் குறித்தனவே”) in other words, in the authority of the word, everything is about the abstract meaning”. No other language is known to have such connectivity and speciality.

Tolkapiyam – the oldest grammar book

Tolkappiyam (Photo: History Plus)

Many scholars have stated that Tamil is the world’s oldest language, and many researches prove this. Scholars agree that Tolkapiyam is the world’s first grammar book. Various studies say that Tolkappiyam must have been written during the Second Sangam period, approximately 6,000 to 1,000 BC. The beginning of the use of copper and iron was a very important period of human civilization, with many archaeological finds and classical literature indicate and acknowledge the use of these metals. The Tolkapiyam mentions copper but not iron. On that basis, Tolkappiyam must have been written at least in the Bronze Age, about 1,200 years BC. The period of iron found in Mayiladumparai excavations in Tamilnadu pushed the iron age to BC. 2172, to about 4200 years ago. It can be said that this is the oldest iron-using period in India ever found. On this basis, the Iron Age must be before 2100 BC; hence, Tolkapiyam can also be dated before 2100 BC.

Tolkappiyam predates the International Phonetic Alphabet

Tolkappiyam, written during the Second Tamil Sangam period, well before the 2nd millennium BC, clearly states how to pronounce the Tamil alphabet and with which organs the sound should be made with breaths. This was much before 1888, the year the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) was invented, which helped establish phonetic and written correspondences between languages.

Tolkappiyam recommends the method of placing a dot on the top of the alphabet to indicate that the pronunciation stops with inhaling the air that stays in the lungs. Generally, vowels are pronounced using the inhaling process. The pronunciation of consonants is through the exhaling process. While pronouncing the consonant-vowel words, the complete inhaling and exhaling process is employed. When Tamil literature was written on palm leaves, the use of dots for consonants like “ik”, “ich”, “it”, “en” ( க், ச்,ட்,ண்) were avoided as it was thought to make holes in the palm leaves. Avoiding dots also helped to preserve palm leaves for a long time.

Tamil in total consists of 12 vowels, 18 consonants, 216 vowel-consonant combinations and one special alphabet totalling 247 alphabets. The alphabet derived from other Indian languages, especially Sanskrit, is also used in modern days. Sanskrit has slight differences in sound and pronunciation and is alphabetised to indicate a difference in pronunciation. Tamil does not have alphabets with as little phonemic variation as in Sanskrit, probably because of the inability to add abstract meanings. That is probably the reason Tamil word meanings can be understood even if they are written without symbols such as space, commas, exclamation, full stops, and punctuation marks.

Tamil precedes Sanskrit

3rd century BCE Tamil-Brahmi inscription (Photo: Wikipedia)

In Tamil, words can be broken down to formulate the meaning, but it is not the case in Sanskrit. On this basis, it can probably be stated that Sanskrit, which includes many Tamil words, was based on Tamil, like many other languages of the world. Alternatively, it can be affirmed that Sanskrit adopted many words from Tamil. For example, many scholars point out that the word “sanādana dharma” is a Sanskrit word meaning eternal law, eternal way, or eternal dharma.

The term sanādana dharma can be analyzed based on Tholkapium and its meaning can be understood. But in any language other than Tamil, its meaning cannot be expressed by the abstract meaning of the alphabet.

What is “Sanatana Dharmam”?

Sanatana Dharmam (Photo: Listen Notes)

Some would say that it is “the basis of life practice that has been in vogue through the ages”. Others call it an “ideology of oppression and exploitation.” And some say, “It is the foundation of caste.” In any hierarchical (caste or caste) society, people at all levels cannot agree with only one definition. However, the opinion of the dominant group prevails over others because it is propagated more widely and strongly. So, how do we know the primary truth of this subject? Alphabets and Word analysis can guide us to understand the true meaning. First, how can the word “Sanathanam” be split and defined? Sanam + Thanam = Sanathanam. “Sanam” means people. “Tanam” means nature or action. A person’s character can be known by his actions. Hence, “Sanathanam” means “the way of doing things by the people”. One cannot be judged socially by one’s birth or existence. His activity, his social utility, places him in the social hierarchy. The Tamil word dharumam is the equivalent of Sanskrit word for “dharma” (A word cannot be translated by considering only sound and musical quality. The meaning should be translated without changing). Darumam = Th + Ar + Um + Am = Separability of body or segmentation of people. Another Tamil equivalent of “Dharumam” is “Aram”. How to define the word “aram”? Virtue Aram = Ar + Am = splitting character. That gives the same meaning as “darumam”. Finally, “sanatana dharum” can be defined as “social assessment of people by classifying them according to their activities or occupations necessary for society”

Is Kia Ora a Tamil derivative?

Kia Ora Glass coasters (photo: Elements Gifts)

We have to be careful when analyzing words from other languages. Some words may coincide due to chance, and a language cannot be said to be related to Tamil based on that chance. For example, the Māori of New Zealand would greet each other as kia ora. In its simplest form, kia ora means hello. However, ‘Kia Ora’ is not just a greeting, it signifies life and health. These two words mean more than passing greetings. In its literal meaning, ‘ora’ means the state of living or being alive. By using ‘kia’, it changes from a noun to a verb, so instead of ‘alive’ it is ‘live’. So, when you say kia ora to someone, you wish for the essence of life, good health, to be upon him. The term Kiyya Ora’ can be categorized as follows based on Tholkapium. Kiyya Ora’ may be a variant of ‘Kiyam Ora’. Kiyam = iK + iam = Nature of the body performance. Ora = Or + a = As one + Together. Kyam Ora = May the nature of the body’s performance be intact, disease free, be complete. This may be purely due to chance, although surprisingly the two meanings coincide. The analysis of Tholkapium should be carried out intelligently. A language cannot be recognized or related to Tamil because the analysis of a few words coincides. Likewise, Tamils need to use local interpretation to continue using words based on Tholkapium. At the same time, Tamilians are forced to know the true meaning of the literature written with phrases in Tamil and show it to the world.

Speak Tamil for well-being.

Tamil (Photo: Fiverr)

Tolkappiyam also tells how to pronounce each Tamil alphabet. It is also mentioned how the movement of the (five) organs, which can be called the organs of sound, should be. Tholkapium frames a set of rules for word formation: primarily focusing on the breath inhaling and exhaling as well as avoiding vibration to the heart and lungs.

Tamil alphabet borrowed from north Indian, or Sanskrit can change your breath and body vibration. For example, if you pronounce “Sh” with your hand on your chest, you will feel a vibration in your chest. According to Tolkappiyam, when you pronounce any alphabets in Tamil, there should be no vibrations in the chest. If there is a vibration in your chest when you pronounce a word, then you know that it is a word from another language.

Pronouncing Tamil words encourages shallow and synchronised breath. Synchronised and shallow breathing is beneficial for the heart. That is why even if one speaks in Tamil continuously, the breath comes out steady, does not increase the vibrations of the heart, and does not create pressure on the breath and thus the body.

Tamil does not cause body vibrations or excessive blood flow. If we analyze the word Tamil on the basis of Tholkapium. The word Tamil can be divided in three ways:

Tamil = Th + Amil. “Thegam + Amhiltam” = Body + elixir, the body itself is the elixir (that’s why Tamil is set up to protect the body).
Tamil = tam + il. Self + loss. Loses arrogance (so the grammars suggest that Tamil does not need to show emotions and fluctuations).
Tamil = Th + ma + iL. alive body + mind + deep, if the mind is deep and close to the body it comes alive (that’s why Tamil is set up to join mind and body in unison)

The speciality of Tamil is that it is a scientific language, a language of life, and a language based on breath. Tamil is not an ordinary language, speaking in Tamil improves health.

About the writer

Dr Mahesh Babu at the Tamil Conference 2022 (Photo: Supplied)

Dr.Purushothaman Mahesh Babu holds a PhD from Auckland University of Technology and works as a lecturer in Management at Built Environment Engineering in the School of Future Environments. He works as a cognitive engineering researcher. His research interests include the study of human factors that impact lean manufacturing systems and waste reduction. In addition, over the past six years, he had been analysing cognitive inputs from classical literature to identify parallels to his cognitive studies, which lead him to grasp the science underlying the Tamil language.

Aside from his 12 engineering research publications in the last 6 years, he has published two books: a book in Tamil called “Manam pona pokil” which is a collection of his poems and commentaries, and an edited book called “Lessons from Lockdown, Yep it’s Crazy!” which is a collection of essays from around the world. Dr. Mahesh has written songs in Tamil. He received positive feedback for the song he wrote for the Harvard Tamil chair fundraising event in Auckland

His Tamil Anthem, written for the Tamil Conference 2022 in Wellington is a unique poem, a profound variation of “Andathi” Songs. In traditional Andathi songs, the last word of a verse becomes the first word of the next verse. Mahesh’s song is novel and unique in the sense that, each sentence contains Tamil consonants sequentially, each sentence has three words, the middle word remains the same throughout, and the last word of the sentence is the first word for the following sentence. Mahesh has been giving speeches in Auckland on Tamil language for the last 6 years, explaining the beauty and scientific evaluation of Tamil. His research reveals the scientific harmony of Tamil words, alphabets and sounds, and the benefits to human while speaking Tamil.

Article was compiled my Malini Yugendran, who is an Indian Newslink Reporter based in Auckland.